Necropolis of Aigai
Necropolis of Aigai
The Archaeological Park of the Necropolis of Aigai and the Royal Burial Cluster of the Tumuli
The necropolis of Ancient Aigai, the first capital of the Macedonians, is one of the most significant and fascinating discoveries in history. Improvements were made to the necropolis for its protection, and in 2021, it was inaugurated as the "Archaeological Park of the Necropolis of Aigai and the Royal Burial Cluster of the Tumuli," spanning an area of 540 acres north of the ancient city, including 530 visible burial mounds. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visitors have the opportunity to gather information from the funerary monuments and explore the area where the ancient Macedonians buried their deceased citizens and officials. Particularly in the royal cluster, there are 21 tombs (6th to 3rd centuries BCE) that include those of Amyntas I, Alexander I, and Perdiccas II, featuring the oldest known local paintings. In the adjacent field, covering approximately 50 acres, the Macedonians held burial games in honor of their deceased kings and performed rituals at the beginning of military campaigns and expeditions.
The archaeological site of the Macedonian Necropolis is accessible, located 12 kilometers from Veria and 70 kilometers from Thessaloniki.